This upward trajectory appeared to be reaching the crescendo of Sané signing a new contract. An offer from Bayern Munich is said to be on the table, Sky Germany report, but the German international is yet to put pen to paper, which has given hope to Arsenal and other unnamed English clubs.

It means Arteta must get creative once again and, essentially, turn to his fifth option to lead the line. Ethan Nwaneri and Raheem Sterling can play as a striker but, on the evidence of Sunday, Martinelli should get the nod.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says Kai Havertz has undergone a "transformation in his body" while being injured and claimed he "destroyed all the metrics we had in the gym for the last 10 years."